Answer :
Final answer:
To find the new water level after submerging 38.8 g of silver in the graduated cylinder, we calculate the volume of the silver and add it to the original water level. Using the density formula rearranged, we find that the new water level is 20.7 mL, which corresponds to choice (b).
Explanation:
The question at hand involves calculating the change in water level in a graduated cylinder after submerging a piece of silver metal. It's a practical application of the concept of density and displacement. To find the new water level after submerging the silver with a density of 10.5 g/mL, we need to calculate the volume of silver using its mass and density. The formula for density (density = mass/volume) can be rearranged to find the volume (volume = mass/density). For the silver metal with a mass of 38.8 g and a density of 10.5 g/mL, the volume is:
Volume of silver = Mass of silver / Density of silver = 38.8 g / 10.5 g/mL = 3.695 mL.
Since the silver displaces its own volume in water, the new water level is the original water level plus the volume of the silver:
New water level = Initial water level + Volume of silver = 17.0 mL + 3.695 mL = 20.695 mL.
Expressing the answer with three significant figures, the new water level is 20.7 mL, which is choice (b).
